Thanks Evan, I will contact my dealer about the chicken loop issue.I like the Rise depower, it is just a bit touchy. I tend to get into very gusty winds at times especially in the winter when we snow kite abouve 10,000 feet. Will the Razor be a better kite for this or is the Rise still a good choice ? Again, I think my 2010 kites rock ! Especially the 9M.Thanks

I'm hoping that somebody got some photos - if they turn up we'll be sure to post them. I rode the 8m Razor and was somewhat overpowered in about 20+ knots of wind. I weigh 155lbs and was riding the new 2011 5'11 Surf strapless. If we'd had one there I would have been riding the 6m instead. My thoughts:

1) The Razor is a totally different kite than the Rise.

2) The Razor sits much further back in the window, with constant power and outstanding stability. The kite more or less feels the same no matter what you do with the bar (in terms of sheeting in/out).

3) The canopy is rock solid, despite having two less struts than the Rise. I attribute this to the pronounced C shape and the placement of the four strut configuration.

4) Bar pressure is significantly higher than with the Rise (which is very light), and as such there is more direct feedback.

5) I was expecting the Razor to have a lot less power (size for size) than the Rise, but it does not. It pulls like a tank.

6) The Razor has less top end/range than the Rise, as you cannot vary the angle of attack nearly as much. This is what people sometimes confuse as " on - off " power with the Rise. The power of the Rise corresponds directly with how the rider sheets in or out. Hold the bar steady and you get a constant angle of attack, and with that, constant power.

In sum, both are killer kites. You just have to pick your poison based on what you want to do with them.

EvanFrom your experience with the new Razor's would you say an 8 is more like a replacement for a 9m?I want a kite for unstrapped and mix of hook/unhook in 14-20 knots. Not sure whether to get an 8 or 9.Will mix it with a 6m for 20+Any help or opinions would be great.

EvanFrom your experience with the new Razor's would you say an 8 is more like a replacement for a 9m?I want a kite for unstrapped and mix of hook/unhook in 14-20 knots. Not sure whether to get an 8 or 9.Will mix it with a 6m for 20+Any help or opinions would be great.

Hi Rohin,

I need to put more time on the Razor (on the low end side of things), but for 2011 I'll be sticking with my usual two kite 6 and 8m combo paired with the 5'11 Surf. They're going to be Razors, but I'll also keep a 6m Rise in the truck for the nuking coastal days. What do you weigh, and are you comparing to a 9m Rise or another brand? There is another good review from Nitinat here which reinforces my impressions of the Razor: For Norcal and my style, I see no need to bigger than the 8m.

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